The Ascent is Subaru’s biggest vehicle in the offer and also the youngest nameplate this Japanese manufacturer uses. It has been around for just a couple of years, as the initial version arrived as the 2019 model year. Despite we are talking about the first generation of this nameplate, we expect to see a mid-cycle update for the 2022 Subaru Ascent. Simply, it will represent the fourth production year, and that’s the time Subaru usually mixes things up. However, it’s still too early to talk about details in terms of changes.
Given the fact that Subaru is pretty conservative in terms of updates, we are pretty sure that these changes will be very subtle. This means just minor styling tweaks, along with additions of new features. Other than that, things will probably remain pretty much the same.
2022 Subaru Ascent Redesign
As we’ve just mentioned, the 2022 Subaru Ascent will probably receive a mid-update, even though the company is still quiet on this matter. Knowing this company pretty well, we have no doubt that changes won’t be significant, but rather just subtle. We presume that things won’t be much different compared to what we’ve been seeing from other models on these occasions. So, some of the things that come to mind are new wheels designs, new color options, new front fascia and similar things.
On the other side, the base layout will certainly remain the same. This is a pretty fresh model, which rides on Subaru’s latest architecture, which is pretty modular and undeprints pretty much everything that comes from this Japanese company. In terms of mechanics, it is a typical AWD setup, while 113.8 inches in wheelbase mean that we are talking about the biggest vehicle in Subaru’s lineup. Of course, things under the hood are also typical for Subaru, but we will get on that in a couple of moments.
Interior
Changes on the inside are not expected. Simply, Subaru doesn’t practice interior changes with mid-cycle updates, so things should remain pretty much the same. That’s not bad at all, considering that the current model features one of the finest cabins in the class, which looks great, utilizes quality materials and comes with loads of advanced tech and safety features.
The base layout will certainly remain the same too. This is a typical mid-size crossover, which comes with three rows of seats as a standard part of the equipment. Speaking of standard models, seating capacity goes up to 7, though you can opt for the second-row captain’s chairs, which reduces the number of seats but increases the overall level of comfort significantly. The cargo area also offers some pretty respectable numbers for the class. You may count on about 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the last row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet behind the first-row seats. These are pretty good numbers for the class, while we also like that there are numerous storage compartments. Also, a power liftgate is standard.
Features
When it comes to standard equipment, some novelties will certainly come. The list of standard equipment will be expanded but we expect that most of the things are about to remain the same. Therefore, base models will certainly feature things like tri-zone climate control, keyless entry, a 6.5-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, six speakers, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and four USB ports.
Currently, the list of optional features includes goodies like an 8-inch touch screen, a Wi-Fi hot spot, two USB ports in the third row, navigation, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, second-row climate controls, remote start etc. We presume that some of these will be standard in the 2022 Subaru Ascent.
2022 Subaru Ascent Engine
On the other side, we don’t expect changes under the hood. Simply, the current setup works pretty well. It includes a 2.4-liter turbo-four, which is good for about 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent through a CVT gearbox and everything works pretty smooth. Of course, AWD is standard.
Besides a pretty solid amount of power, this engine is also efficient. In this case, it returns around 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. That even better compared to most 2WD models in the class. The max towing capacity goes around 5.000 pounds.
2022 Subaru Ascent Release Date and Price
We expect to see the 2022 Subaru Ascent sometime in the summer of 2021. The starting price shouldn’t be significantly higher compared to the current model, which starts around 32.000 dollars. Some of the key competitors are models like Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Palisade etc.